Begone? !

So with the help of a newly acquired Manchester A-Z we found St. Aidan's Antiochian Orthodox Church in Clare Road, Leavenshulme. "All services in English", "All Welcome" the notice board prclaimed. I had read the priest's blog since last year and had often found his thoughts helpful and from time to time bits would work their way into my sermons. As we arrived the churchwarden welcomed us and ushered us in to join the dozen or so people who had been there for Mattins. The (not young) cantor was doing a wonderful job chanting all the various items, which he then continued through the whole of Divine Liturgy also- a marathon task. I wondered if there would be a sermon or not and then it came after many preliminary prayers and the reading from Acts and the Gospel of Mark about the 'mryhh-bearing women' going to the tomb. Fr. Gregory challenged us to what we did with our sorrows - wallow, relish or bring them to Jesus for him to deal with?

And so the service proceeded, by this time standing room only. Then came the shock- after Prayers for the Catacumens - they were summarily dismissed and someone was meant to ensure they had gone! Seemed such a contrast to "All Welcome"! Nobody seemed to leave. At communion time we did not attempt to receive in order not cause offence, but the (African?) young man next to us was not receiving either as he was 'not ready'. So a puzzle, which no doubt an Orthodox believer will readily explain. On a very positive note to end my wife remarked how all the service was totally aimed at God and his glorification. So much 'worship' is all about us... But then Orthdoxy does mean 'right glory' and it is Father Son and Holy Spirit, One God in glorious splendour whom we are meant to be worshipping.